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Targeting cellular double-stranded RNA homeostasis in breast cancer

Award Number: R01CA262418
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2026

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Targeting cellular double-stranded RNA homeostasis in breast cancer - Summary/Abstract The immunologically inactive (cold) tumor is a major challenge for effective immunotherapies in many cancers, including breast cancer. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that human cells express various types of endogenous double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) regardless of pathogen invasion, and aberrant accumulation of cellular dsRNAs could trigger a detrimental innate immune response in cells. In cancer, these endogenous immunogenic dsRNAs are suggested as a source of immune induction to increase tumor response to immunotherapy. However, to exploit the cellular dsRNAs in immunotherapy for cancer, we need to understand the molecular mechanism for cellular dsRNA homeostasis in normal and malignant cells and find the specific ways to modulate immunogenic dsRNAs. We found that inhibition of DEAD-box RNA helicase 3X (DDX3X) resulted in the cytoplasmic accumulation of endogenous dsRNAs in the breast cancer cells. Loss of DDX3X increased the type I interferon production, STAT1 activation, IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) expression, and the MHC class I expression with the enhanced antigen presentation on the breast cancer cells. DDX3X inhibition also suppressed the tumor growth and increased the tumor infiltration of active CD8+ T cells and DC in the syngeneic breast cancer mouse model. We hypothesize that inhibiting DDX3X leads to aberrant accumulation of endogenous dsRNAs, which triggers type I IFN responses and induces an innate immune response in the tumor. The proposed studies will be focused on understanding the molecular mechanism by which DDX3X regulates cellular dsRNA homeostasis, providing a link between cellular dsRNAs and immune signals in breast cancer cells, and establishing novel immunotherapeutic strategies for breast cancer. In Aim 1, we will determine the molecular mechanism by which DDX3X regulates cellular dsRNAs; In Aim 2, we will study DDX3X-dsRNAs-Type I IFN axis in cancer cells and human tumor; In Aim 3, we will explore the effect of inhibiting DDX3X to increase anti-tumor immunity and sensitize tumors to immunotherapy. Our study will reveal a novel regulatory mechanism of endogenous dsRNAs in cancer and may lead to novel therapeutics targeting DDX3X for new combinatory immunotherapy.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $373,774 )
2025	2025	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY	MAIN CAMPUS	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	5	5/21/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$373,774
														Subtotal = $373,774

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $355,088 )
2024	2024	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY	MAIN CAMPUS	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	4	6/18/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$355,088
														Subtotal = $355,088

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $366,299 )
2023	2023	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY	MAIN CAMPUS	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	3	6/13/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$366,299
														Subtotal = $366,299

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $373,774 )
2022	2022	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY	MAIN CAMPUS	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	2	8/1/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$366,299
2022	2022	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY	MAIN CAMPUS	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Biology Research	001	2	9/8/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$7,475
														Subtotal = $373,774

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $373,774 )
2021	2021	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY (THE)	37TH AND O ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	1	6/30/2021	NEW	$373,774
														Subtotal = $373,774

Grand Total All Awards = $1,842,709

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Targeting cellular double-stranded RNA homeostasis in breast cancer

Award Number: R01CA262418

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2026

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